And now there was no more contention in all the land of Zerach’mla, among all the people who belonged to king Binyamin, so that king Binyamin had continual shalom all the remainder of his days. And it came to pass that he had three sons, and he called their names Moshiyah, and Helorum, and Cheleman. And he caused that they should be taught in all the language of his fathers,1 that thereby they might become men of understanding, and that they might know concerning the prophecies2 which had been spoken by the mouths of their fathers, which were delivered to them by the hand of yhwh. And he also taught them concerning the records which were engraved upon the plates of brass,3 saying, My sons, I would that you should remember that were it not for these plates which contain these records and these mitzvot, we must have suffered in ignorance, even at this present time, not knowing the mysteries of Elohim. For it was not possible that our father Lechi could have remembered all these things, to have taught them to his children, except it were for the help of these plates. For he had been taught in the language of the Egyptians, therefore he could read these engravings and teach them to his children, that thereby they could teach them to their children, and so fulfilling the mitzvot of Elohim even down to this present time. I say unto you my sons, were it not for these things which have been kept and preserved by the hand of Elohim, that we might read and understand of his mysteries4 and have his mitzvot always before our eyes, that even our fathers would have dwindled in unbelief. And we should have been like unto our brothers the Lamanites, who know nothing concerning these things, or even do not believe them when they are taught them, because of the traditions of their fathers5 which are not correct. O my sons, I would that you should remember that these sayings are true, and also that these records are true. And behold also the plates of Nefi, which contain the records and the sayings of our fathers from the time they left Yerushalayim6 until now; that they are true. And we can know of their surety because we have them before our eyes. And now my sons, I would that you should remember to search them diligently, that you may profit thereby. And I would that you should keep the mitzvot of Elohim, that you may prosper in the land according to the promises which yhwh made unto our fathers.7 And many more things did king Binyamin teach his sons, which are not written in this book.
And it came to pass that after king Binyamin had made an end of teaching his sons, that he became old and he saw that he must very soon go the way of all the earth. Therefore, he thought it expedient that he should confer the kingdom upon one of his sons; therefore, he had Moshiyah brought before him. And these are the words which he spoke unto him, saying, My son, I would that you should make a proclamation throughout all this land, among all this people, or the people of Zerach’mla8 and the people of Moshiyah who dwell in this land, that thereby they may be gathered together;9 for tomorrow I shall proclaim unto this my people out of my own mouth that you are a king and a ruler over this people whom yhwh our Elohim has given us.10 And moreover, I shall give this people a name that thereby they may be distinguished above all the people which Adonai yhwh has brought out of the land of Yerushalayim. And this I do because they have been a diligent people in keeping the mitzvot of yhwh. And I give unto them a name that never shall be blotted out, except it be through transgression. Yes, and moreover I say unto you that if this highly favored people of yhwh should fall into transgression, and become a wicked and an adulterous people, that yhwh will deliver them up, that thereby they become weak like unto their brothers. And he will no more preserve them by his matchless and marvelous power as he has previously preserved our fathers.11 For I say unto you that if he had not extended his arm in the preservation of our fathers, they must have fallen into the hands of the Lamanites and become victims to their hatred.
And it came to pass that after king Binyamin had made an end of these sayings to his son, that he gave him charge concerning all the affairs of the kingdom. And moreover, he also gave him charge concerning the records which were engraved upon the plates of brass, and also the plates of Nefi,12 and also the sword of Lavan,13 and the ball or director14 which led our fathers through the wilderness, which was prepared by the hand of yhwh that thereby they might be led, every one, according to the heed and diligence which they gave unto him. Therefore, as they were unfaithful, they did not prosper nor progress in their journey, but were driven back, and incurred the displeasure of Elohim upon them. And therefore, they were smitten with famine and sore afflictions to stir them up in remembrance of their duty.
And now it came to pass that Moshiyah went and did as his father had commanded him, and proclaimed unto all the people who were in the land of Zerach’mla, that thereby they might gather themselves together to go up15 to the Temple16 to hear the words which his father should speak unto them.17
And it came to pass that after Moshiyah had done as his father had commanded him and had made a proclamation throughout all the land, that the people gathered themselves together throughout all the land, that they might go up to the Temple to hear the words which king Binyamin should speak unto them. And there were a great number, even so many that they did not number them, for they had multiplied exceedingly and grown great in the land. And they also took of the firstlings of their flocks,18 that they might offer sacrifice and burnt offerings according to the Torah of Moshe,19 and also that they might give thanks to yhwh their Elohim, who had brought them out of the land of Yerushalayim, and who had delivered them out of the hands of their enemies,20 and had appointed just men to be their teachers, and also a just man to be their king, who had established shalom in the land of Zerach’mla, and who had taught them to keep the mitzvot of Elohim, that thereby they might rejoice21 and be filled with love towards Elohim and all men.
And it came to pass that when they came up to the Temple, they pitched their sukkah booths22 round about, every man according to his family, consisting of his wife, and his sons, and his daughters, and their sons, and their daughters, from the eldest down to the youngest, every family being separate one from another. And they pitched their sukkah booths round about the Temple, every man having his sukkah booth with the door thereof towards the Temple, that thereby they might remain in their sukkah booths and hear the words which king Binyamin should speak unto them. For the multitude was so great that king Binyamin could not teach them all within the walls of the Temple, therefore he caused a tower to be erected, that thereby his people might hear the words which he should speak unto them.
And it came to pass that he began to speak to his people from the tower, and they could not all hear his words because of the greatness of the multitude. Therefore, he caused that the words which he spoke should be written and sent forth among those that were not under the sound of his voice, that they might also receive his words. And these are the words which he spoke and caused to be written, saying, My brothers, all you that have assembled yourselves together, you that can hear my words which I shall speak unto you this day, for I have not commanded you to come up here to trifle with the words which I shall speak, but that you should hearken unto me, and open your ears that you may hear, and your hearts that you may understand, and your minds that the mysteries of Elohim may be unfolded to your view. I have not commanded you to come up here that you should fear me, or that you should think that I of myself am more than a mortal man. But I am like as yourselves, subject to all manner of infirmities in body and mind. Yet as I have been chosen by this people, and was consecrated by my father, and was sustained by the hand of yhwh that I should be a ruler and a king over this people, and have been kept and preserved by his matchless power to serve you with all the might, mind, and strength which yhwh has granted unto me, I say unto you that as I have been allowed to spend my days in your service, even up to this time, and have not sought gold, nor silver, nor any manner of riches of you, neither have I allowed that you should be confined in dungeons, nor that you should make slaves one of another, or that you should murder, or plunder, or steal, or commit adultery, or even I have not allowed that you should commit any manner of wickedness, and have taught you that you should keep the mitzvot of yhwh in all things which he has commanded you. And even I myself have labored with my own hands that I might serve you, and that you should not be laden with taxes, and that there should nothing come upon you which was grievous to be borne. And of all these things which I have spoken, you yourselves are witnesses this day. Yet my brothers, I have not done these things that I might boast, neither do I tell these things that thereby I might accuse you; but I tell you these things that you may know that I can answer a clear conscience before Elohim23 this day. Behold, I say unto you that because I said unto you that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast,24 for I have only been in the service of Elohim.
And behold, I tell you these things that you may learn wisdom, that you may learn that when you are in the service of your fellow beings, you are only in the service of your Elohim. Behold, you have called me your king. And if I, whom you call your king, do labor to serve you, then had not you ought to labor to serve one another? And behold also, if I, whom you call your king, who has spent his days in your service and yet has been in the service of Elohim, do merit any thanks from you, oh how had you ought to thank your Heavenly King! I say unto you, my brothers, that if you should render all the thanks and praise which your whole souls have power to possess, to that Elohim who has created you, and has kept and preserved you, and has caused that you should rejoice, and has granted that you should live in shalom one with another25 — I say unto you that if you should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day by lending you breath that you may live, and move, and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another — I say, if you should serve him with all your whole soul, yet you would be unprofitable servants. And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his mitzvot. And he has promised you that if you would keep his mitzvot, you should prosper in the land. And he never does vary from that which he has said. Therefore, if you do keep his mitzvot, he does bless you and prosper you.
And now in the first place he has created you, and granted unto you your lives, for which you are indebted unto him. And secondly, he does require that you should do as he has commanded you, for which, if you do, he does immediately bless you, and therefore he has paid you. And you are still indebted unto him, and are and will be for ever and ever. Therefore, of what have you to boast? And now I ask, can you say anything of yourselves? I answer you, no. You cannot say that you are even as much as the dust of the earth, yet you were created of the dust of the earth; but behold, it belongs to him who created you. And I, even I whom you call your king, am no better than you yourselves are, for I am also of the dust. And you can see that I am old and am about to yield up this mortal frame to its mother earth. Therefore, as I said unto you that I had served you, walking with a clear conscience before Elohim, even so I, at this time, have caused that you should assemble yourselves together, that I might be found blameless, and that your blood should not come upon me when I shall stand to be judged of Elohim of the things whereof he has commanded me concerning you. I say unto you that I have caused that you should assemble yourselves together that I might rid my garments of your blood at this period of time when I am about to go down to my grave, that I might go down in peace, and my immortal spirit may join the choirs above in singing the praises of a just Elohim. And moreover, I say unto you that I have caused that you should assemble yourselves together that I might declare unto you that I can no longer be your teacher nor your king; for even at this time my whole frame does tremble exceedingly while attempting to speak unto you. But Adonai yhwh does support me, and has sustained me that I should speak unto you, and has commanded me that I should declare unto you this day that my son Moshiyah is a king and a ruler over you.
And now my brothers, I would that you should do as you have previously done. As you have kept my commandments, and also the commandments of my father, and have prospered, and have been kept from falling into the hands of your enemies, even so, if you shall keep the commandments of my son, or the mitzvot of Elohim which shall be delivered unto you by him, you shall prosper in the land and your enemies shall have no power over you. But O my people, beware lest there shall arise contentions among you, and you hearken to obey the evil spirit which was spoken of by my father, Moshiyah. For behold, there is a woe pronounced upon him who hearkens to obey that spirit; for if he hearkens to obey him, and remains and dies in his sins, the same drinks damnation26 to his own soul,27 for he receives for his wages an Everlasting punishment, having transgressed the Torah of Elohim, contrary to his own knowledge. I say unto you that there are not any among you, except it be your little children, that have not been taught concerning these things but that knows that you are eternally indebted to your Heavenly Father, to render to him all that you have and are, and also have been taught concerning the records which contain the prophecies which have been spoken by the holy prophets, even down to the time our father Lechi left Yerushalayim, and also all that has been spoken by our fathers until now. And behold also, they spoke that which was commanded them of yhwh; therefore, they are just and true.
And now I say unto you, my brothers, that after you have known and have been taught all these things, if you should transgress and go contrary to that which has been spoken, that you do withdraw yourselves from the spirit of yhwh, that it may have no place in you to guide you in Wisdom’s28 paths that you may be blessed, prospered, and preserved, I say unto you that the man that does this, the same comes out in open rebellion against Elohim. Therefore, he hearkens to obey the evil spirit and becomes an enemy to all righteousness. Therefore, yhwh has no place in him, for he dwells not in unholy temples.29 Therefore, if that man repents not, and remains and dies an enemy to Elohim, the demands of divine justice do awaken his immortal soul to a lively sense of his own guilt, which does cause him to shrink from the presence of yhwh, and does fill his breast with guilt, and pain, and anguish, which is like an unquenchable fire whose flames ascend up for ever and ever. And now I say unto you that mercy has no claim on that man; therefore, his final doom is to endure a never-ending torment.
O all you old men, and also you young men, and you little children who can understand my words — for I have spoken plainly unto you that you might understand — I pray that you should awaken to a remembrance of the awful situation of those that have fallen into transgression. And moreover, I would desire that you should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the mitzvot30 of Elohim; for behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual. And if they hold out faithful to the end, they are received into Heaven, that thereby they may dwell with Elohim in a state of never-ending happiness. Oh remember, remember that these things are true, for Adonai yhwh has spoken it.
And again my brothers, I would call for your attention, for I have somewhat more to speak unto you. For behold, I have things to tell you concerning that which is to come. And the things which I shall tell you are made known unto me by an angel31 from Elohim. And he said unto me, Awake. And I awoke. And behold, he stood before me. And he said unto me, Awake and hear the words which I shall tell you; for behold, I am come to declare unto you glad tidings of great joy.32 For yhwh has heard your prayers, and has judged of your righteousness, and has sent me to declare unto you that you may rejoice, and that you may declare unto your people that they may also be filled with joy.
For behold, the time comes and is not far distant that with power yhwh Omnipotent who reigns, who was and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from Heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay,33 and shall go forth among men, working mighty miracles such as healing the sick, raising the dead, causing the lame to walk, the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and curing all manner of diseases. And he shall cast out demons, or the evil spirits which dwell in the hearts of the children of men.34 And lo, he shall suffer temptations and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer except it be unto death. For behold, blood comes from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people.35 And he shall be called Yeshua HaMashiach, the Son of Elohim the Father of Heaven and of earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his Mother shall be called Miryam. And lo, he comes unto his own, that salvation might come unto the children of men, even through faith on his name. And even after all this, they shall consider him as a man and say that he has a demon,36 and shall scourge him, and shall crucify him. And he shall rise the third day from the dead.
And behold, he stands to judge the world. And behold, all these things are done that a righteous judgment might come upon the children of men. For behold, and also his blood atones for the sins of those who have fallen by the transgression of Adam, who have died not knowing the will of Elohim concerning them, or who have ignorantly sinned. But woe, woe unto him who knows that he rebels against Elohim; for salvation comes to none such except it be through repentance and faith on Adonai Yeshua HaMashiach. And Adonai yhwh has sent his holy prophets among all the children of men to declare these things to every kindred, nation, and tongue, that thereby whosoever should believe that Mashiach should come, the same might receive remission of their sins and rejoice with exceedingly great joy, even as though he had already come among them.37
Yet Adonai yhwh saw that his people were a stiffnecked people, and he appointed unto them a Torah, even the Torah of Moshe. And many signs, and wonders, and types, and shadows38 showed he unto them concerning his coming; and also holy prophets spoke unto them concerning his coming. And yet they hardened their hearts and understood not that the Torah of Moshe avails nothing except it were through the atonement of his blood. And even if it were possible that little children39 could sin, they could not be saved. But I say unto you, they are blessed; for behold, as in Adam or by nature they fall, even so the blood of Mashiach atones for their sins. And moreover, I say unto you that there shall be no other name given, nor any other way nor means by which salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Mashiach yhwh Omnipotent. For behold, he judges, and his judgment is just. And the infant perishes not that dies in his infancy, but men drink damnation to their own souls except they humble themselves, and become as little children,40 and believe that salvation was, and is, and is to come, in and through the atoning blood of Mashiach, yhwh Omnipotent. For the natural man is an enemy to Elohim, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be for ever and ever unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and puts off the natural man, and becomes a kadosh through the atonement of Mashiach yhwh, and becomes as a child: submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which yhwh sees fit to inflict upon him, even as a child does submit to his father.
And moreover, I say unto you that the time shall come when the knowledge of a savior shall spread throughout every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. And behold, when that time comes, none shall be found blameless before Elohim, except it be little children, only through repentance and faith on the name of yhwh Elohim Omnipotent. And even at this time, when you shall have taught your people the things which yhwh your Elohim has commanded you, even then are they found no more blameless in the sight of Elohim, only according to the words which I have spoken unto you.
And now I have spoken the words which Adonai yhwh has commanded me. And thus says yhwh: They shall stand as a bright testimony against this people at the judgment day, whereof they shall be judged, every man according to his works, whether they be good or whether they be evil. And if they be evil, they are consigned to an awful view of their own guilt and abominations, which does cause them to shrink from the presence of yhwh into a state of misery and Endless torment, from which they can no more return. Therefore, they have drunk damnation to their own souls. Therefore, they have drunk out of the cup of the wrath of Elohim, which justice could no more deny unto them than it could deny that Adam should fall because of his partaking of the forbidden fruit.41 Therefore, mercy could have claim on them no more for ever, and their torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone whose flames are unquenchable and whose smoke ascends up for ever and ever. Thus has yhwh commanded me. Amen.